David metz



D. METZ.

Y Car.Ax|e Box.

No. 96,337-7 Patented Nov. 2, 1869.

N. PETERS. Fhmmumngnphor. wauh nnnnnnn l C.

"cited gisten DAVID METZ, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

Letters Patent No. 96,337, dated November 2, ISGS.

In'aPRovzinAxLn-Box The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

To all whom 'it may concern l Be it known that I, DAVID Merz, of Washington city, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Axle-Boxes for Railroad-Cars, and an improved Method of Attaching the same; and I do hereby declare that the' following is a full,clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, and the letters of reference marked thereon, making part of this speciiication, in which- AFigure 1 isa perspective view of my improved axlebox, showing its mode of attachment.

Figure 2 is a vertical section ofthe same, Ataken through the line z a, iig. 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the top of the bearing.

Figure 4 is a transverse section of the same, taken through the line y y, fig; 3.

The object of my invention is to provide a means of overcoming the difficulties heretofore experienced by reason of the packing becoming dry, whereby the journal becomes heated, and also to provide a more ready manner of attaching and detaching the axle-box; and

It consists in the combination of parts hereinafter described.

Boxes, as heretofore constructed, are held within the pedestal by means of iianges on the sides, the equalizl ing-beam resting merely ou thetop of the box.

These flanges are entirely omitted in vmy invention, and the equalizing-beam is lengthened, lso as to project through .thepedestal', the end being mortised to .receive the tenon. of a clamp which passes under the box, through the pedestal, and is fastened again to the equali'zing-beam by tenon and mortised ears, with key-bolt, or in any other effective manner.

The equalizing -beaml and. clamp are secured in grooves or slots in the top and bottom of the axle-box, holding the box rmly within the pedestal, and permitting free up-and-down play; withoutglateral Wabbling. The shape of the clamp must be varied when required for six-wheeled trucks.

The axle-box .has two compartments. The inner compartment, in which the journal revolves, and which contains the bearing-piece and packing, has perforations in the ends and sides, through which the oil from the outer compartment or .reservoir can freely flow in upon the journal and packing, keeping the latter thoroughly saturated.

The rear of the bottom of this inner box is so inclined and hollowed as to hold the packing always in place uudcrthe journal, and prevent its working forward. The anterior portion ofthe bottom is inclined in the opposite'direction, and chanuelled, permitting the oil or lubricating-material not absorbed by the packing to fall back into thereservoi'r- The opening for the insertion of the journal in the back of thebox is litted with a segment of a ring of India rubber, inserted in a groove, and pressing tightly against the bottom and sides ofthe journal to prevent the oozing out or waste of oil. v

The box is closedv by'a hinged lid, fastened by a screw-boltand nut, or in any other mannen'and -having on its under side a projection, so fitted as to cover and close at the same time the inner compartment or packing-box.

The bearing-piece differs from that in general use in vhaving ya groove to connect the two cells, so that the melted tallow, instead of running over the sides and ends only on the packing, will pass through the openings directly upon the upper part of the journal should it become heated. It is'itted level upon itsy upper surface, and held in place by means ofl a. slot and corresponding projection upon the under surface of the top of the axle-box. It has also flanges on the lower edges to prevent its becoming tightly wedged against the sides of the box when crushed or broken by accident'.

By my method of attachment,` the time and labo now necessary to remove or replace a defective axle- .box by raising the car and .tiuck, withjack-screws', higblenough for the bottom 'of the pedestal to clear lthe box and journal, are entirely saved. Any block vor pry which will support the weight of the car and truck and raise the equalizing-beam high enough to clear the groove in the top, will permit the prompt and easy removal of the whole box fromthe journal `and pedestal without trouble, expense, or necessity of remoyiugthe car from the' track.

The equalizing-beam a a,'fg. 1, should be made to fit the sides of the pedestal, and lengthened to permit the attaching' of a clamp, b b, by means of tenonand mortise, with bolt, or in any other secure manner. 'lhs clamp is so shaped as to pass through the pedestal, under the box, being fastened to the equalizingbeam at the two points marked c c, tig. 1, by means of bolts or screws.

The equalizing-beam a rests in a-groove, d, fig. 2,

upon the top of the box, and the clamp in a similar Y groove, e, ig.2, in the bottom. By this means, the box is held securely in place within the pedestal, and full perpendicular play, with free action of the springs, is allowed, while the lateral wabbling, .productive of irregular wear and breakage, is wholly prevented.

AThe outer compartment of the packing-box j, g; 2, is a reservoir for lubricating-materiaL Y The inner compartment, g,g. 2, is perforated in the ends and sides to allow of a freecirculation ofthe oil through the packing lto the journal and bearing.

The inclination and grooving h, iig. 2, of the bottom of this box eiiectually holds the packing in its proper position, and prevents its Working forward and de- V priving the journal of the necessary lubrication.

The opposite inclination, i, fig. 2, and channelling oi' the `forward portion of the bottom of thisbox, allows surplus oil, not absorbed by the packing, to fall back into the reservoir f. The rounding of a curve or any nnevenness of the railroad-track causing one wheel to 2.` This projection serves as the lid to close the inner compartment g, or packing-box.

The segment of India rubber, closing the orifice for the journal against the waste of oil, is seen at o, fig. 2. 'This segment of India rubber may be easily inserted in its groove by the hand from `the front ot' the box. Its elasticity, constantly pressing against the journal resting upon it, keepsthe orifice tightly closed; and even when the bearings have heroine worn or crushed, it still presses upward against the journal, and prevents the loss ot' oil. The upper part, of the orifice is kept closed by the weight of the car, and truck.

The groove in the bearing-piece is shown at Z, figs. 2, 3, 4, and the. flanges at m fm', fig. 4.

The tallow from the box n, tig. 2, falling into the cells ofthe bearing-piece, is conveyed by means mof the groove from one cell' to the other, and passes directly through the openings in the bearing upon the-upper part of the journal. Heating of the joumal will cause this tallow .to melt andirun down upon the bearing 'and journal.v

The object of the flanges 'm m is to obviate the dif'- iculty now experienced in 'removing a bearing that has broken and become jammed against the sides of the box, frequently requiring to be cutout with a cold chisel. The insert-ion of a chisel or bar 'above the lflange will enable the workman to press together the sides of thebearing, and remove it without diliculty or loss of time.

By a square or level fitting of the bearing-piece, the tallow is prevented falling over the sides or ends of the bearing, and its full benefitsecnred by a direct application to the parts upon which it is required. The axle-box is so constructed that the tallow-box may be omitted altogether, it' not desired.

What I claim as of my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The clamp l) and prolonged equalizing-beama, arranged as described, and for the purpose of holding the axle-boxwithin the pedestal, as set forth.

2. The packing-box g, with perforat-ions' for the passage of lnln'icatingfmaterial, within an exterior box or vreservoir for holding oil, said packing-box having also a groorcd, inclined, and channelledbottom, h t, constrnctedv and arranged as described, and for the purposes set forth.

3. The projection k or double lid, for closing the wholcrbox at the same time, constructed as described.

4. Constructing` the bearing with a groove, connecting the tallo\v-cells, and with flanges 'mm', arranged as described, and for the purposes set forth.

DAVID METZ.

Witnesses:

0. C. Kn'rcHAM, J .ums D. LINKINS. 

